[Lancaster, Pa.] Capri Cork has launched Sequel, a textured 19 x 19, 3mm-thick recycled cork/rubber tile combination that fills a growing niche with architects, designers and commercial dealers. The line is available in 15 standard colors including neutrals, grays and bright accent colors.

"Cork and rubber are two great flooring products on their own; put them together and you get a really durable product with a nice aesthetic,bCrLf said Margaret Buchholz, marketing and design director, Capri Cork. "This niche category is receiving a great deal of interest.bCrLf

Capri Cork began combining the two sought-after substances in 2007 with the launch of CorTerra, a line of 18 x 18 tiles in a 2.5mm format. The company went on to introduce Medley, a collection of recycled tire waste and pre-consumer cork tiles in multiple thicknesses in 2008 and AND/OR, a cork and rubber collection available in rolls or tiles in 2009. All Capri Cork products contribute to LEED points, meet or exceed ASTM F 1344 standards for rubbing flooring and are certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Paul Bonacci, partner at Boston-based ARQ Architects, used Capri Cork's CorTerra for an installation at The Children's Museum of New Hampshire, which won an American Institute of Architects (AIA) award and is LEED Silver certified. He's currently considering Sequel for a number of contracts.

"We like that Capri Cork uses more natural materials and that it has recycled content — it typifies the way we do our work,bCrLf he said. "On top of that, its products combine the wear resistance and comfort that you can only get by combining rubber and cork. That's a big deal. The other is indoor air quality. Those two go hand-in-hand in providing our clients a great experience.bCrLf

Scott Wolf, CEO of Phoenix-based Wholesale Floors, recently installed 10,000 square feet of Sequel in a local church. "Acoustically it's a great floor. The cork definitely helps in reducing sound,bCrLf Wolf said. "It probably holds up better than carpet and you don't really have to seal it. Maintenance requires a mop and a little detergent. On top of that, it looks really nice.bCrLf

While the line was designed with commercial applications in mind, Buchholz adds that an increasing desire for rubber-based floors residentially, particularly in home gyms, kitchens and washrooms, has not gone unnoticed by Capri Cork.

"We have architect folders and have flooded the market with chain sets, but we know a number of dealers who have expressed interest for residential applications,bCrLf she said. "This segment is still in its infancy. As the word gets out, demand will only increase.bCrLf For more information, visit capricork.com.